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Deschamps set to be unveiled as new Les Bleus boss after talks with France chief

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UPDATED:

21:11 GMT, 7 July 2012

Didier Deschamps is poised to become the new France manager after holding talks in Paris on Saturday.

The French Football Federation confirmed that their president Noel Le Graet had met Deschamps to discuss terms of a deal to replace Laurent Blanc.

Blanc stepped down from the helm of Les Bleus following the fall-out of their Euro 2012 quarter-final exit to eventual winners Spain.

Favourite: Didier Deschamps is set to be the new France boss

'Noel Le Graet, president of the French Football Federation, and Didier Deschamps met in Paris on Saturday,' a statement on the FFF's website read.

'They engaged in a discussion on possible terms of contract to be the coach of the France team.'

Deschamps, who captained France to their 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs, was quickly installed as favourite to succeed Blanc after he left his post at Marseille by mutual consent last week.

The 43-year-old guided OM to one Ligue 1 title and a record three successive League Cups in as many years on the south coast.

Deschamps, who has also previously managed Juventus and Monaco, endured a difficult campaign last season, however, as OM managed only 10th place in Ligue 1.

Chief: French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet

Should Deschamps be appointed his first game in charge would be against South American champions Uruguay in Le Havre on August 15.

He could be without a number of his star names before then, however, as the FFF continue to sift through the fall-out of a Euro 2012 campaign that was undermined by off-field problems.

The governing body has opened disciplinary proceedings against four members of the squad – Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Jeremy Menez and Yann M'Vila, who are set to be called in front of a committee.

Manchester City midfielder Nasri fell foul of the FFF following his heated argument with a journalist in the wake of Les Bleus' last-eight loss to Spain, while Newcastle forward Ben Arfa was allegedly embroiled in a dressing-room altercation following the 2-0 defeat to Sweden in France's final Group D outing.

Trouble: Jeremy Menez is one of four players who have been called before a disciplinary committee

Paris St Germain midfielder Menez is to be investigated after allegedly gesturing at goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, while Rennes midfielder M'Vila upset the FFF when he ignored Blanc following his substitution against Spain.

The unsavoury claims have brought back memories of France's disastrous 2010 World Cup, when Les Bleus crashed out at the group stage after the players refused to train following the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka.

On that occasion, Anelka, Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan were hit with bans of varying lengths by the FFF.

Didier Deschamps is leaving Olympique Marseille after three years as a coach and could be heading for the vacant France manager spot.

The former Chelsea and Juventus midfielder is favourite to take over from Laurent Blanc who turned down a new Les Bleus contract offer.

The 43-year-old's future at Marseille had been uncertain with reports claiming he wanted to leave the club he had once captained after three years in charge.

Favourite: Didier Deschamps is considered most likely to succeed Laurent Blanc

Marseilles announced Deschamps' departure with a statement on their website reading: 'Didier Deschamps was received on May 23 by club officials to prepare for the 2012-2013 season.

'Deschamps stated his desire to leave OM and the terms of his departure were considered.

'In the days that followed, Deschamps repeatedly confirmed that he was and remained the coach of OM.

'Olympique de Marseille and Deschamps have finally decided by mutual agreement not to continue working for the 2012-2013 season.

'Olympique de Marseille thank Deschamps for his work for the team for three years and wish him good luck for the future.

'Deschamps thanks Olympique de Marseille for their support throughout these last three seasons.'

Moving on: Blanc does not want a new deal

He played 103 matches for France and has long been known to desire a shot at the big job.

Deschamps took over as Marseille boss in the summer of 2009 and in his first season in charge led them to the Ligue 1 title as well as the Coupe de la Ligue.

They were runners-up the following year to Lille, although they retained the Coupe de la Ligue.

However, last season was poor for the club who at one point endured a 14-match winless streak and they finished in 10th place although another successful cup defence saw them qualify for the Europa League.

Following the end of a highly-successful playing career, which saw him win the Champions League with both Marseille and Juventus as well as the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship with France, Deschamps was appointed manager of Monaco.

He guided them to second in Ligue 1 in the 2002/03 season which saw them qualify for the Champions League in which they reached the final the following year where they lost to Porto, led by Jose Mourinho.

Staying put: Arsene Wenger wants to stay at Arsenal

After resigning in autumn 2005, Deschamps was appointed as Juventus coach the following summer with the club having been relegated to Serie B after the match-fixing scandal.

Deschamps guided them to an immediate return to the top flight but almost as soon as they had been confirmed as Serie B champions he resigned.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger ruled himself out of contention for the vacant position.

'There are a lot of names,' Wenger told Telefoot.

'But me, I will be very busy with Arsenal where my contract still runs for two years.'

Blanc was once a contender for the Tottenham managerial job after Harry Redknapp's sacking but it looks like Andre Villas-Boas has sown that up.

Andre Villas-Boas has dismissed links with him taking the vacant manager's post at Tottenham as 'lies'.

The former Chelsea boss had emerged as one of the front-runners to take over from Harry Redknapp who was given the boot after three-and-a-half years at White Hart Lane.

Spurs may now have to concentrate their efforts elsewhere after the Portuguese rejected claims that he is No 1 to take the reins at the north London club.

Lies: AVB has rejected claims he is set to take over at Tottenham

He was quoted as saying by Portuguese newspaper O Jogo: 'There is nothing, it is all lies.'

Former Schalke manager Ralph Rangnick is also out of the running to replace Redknapp at Spurs after he linked up with Gerard Houllier and joined a new-look set-up at Austrian champions Salzburg.

That now leaves France Coach Laurent Blanc as the top contender for the role with chairman Daniel Levy is keen to speak to 46-year-old Blanc after Les Bleus were knocked out of Euro 2012 by Spain on Saturday.

Blanc has earned a good reputation in leading Bordeaux to the French league title and guided the national team through a difficult period following the players' infamous training strike at the 2010 World Cup.

Arsene Wenger is convinced Olivier Giroud can be a big hit at Arsenal next season, with a deal for the French striker '90 per cent' done.

Giroud, who is part of Laurent Blanc's Euro 2012 squad, is thought to command a transfer fee in the region of 13million.

Almost there: Olivier Giroud is on his way to Arsenal from Montpellier

The 25-year-old scored 25 goals for his club last season to help Montpellier win the Ligue 1 title, igniting the interest of several top clubs.

However, it appears Arsenal are set to add the promising Frenchman to their squad, which has already been bolstered by the arrival of Germany marksman Lukas Podolski.

Wenger said on French TV station TF1: 'Giroud didn't play much (at the Euros so far), but he's going to be an Arsenal player 90 per cent next season.

Left out: Giroud (right) has not had much game time under Laurent Blanc (left) for France

'I think he has exceptional potential and will integrate very well in our collective and our way of playing.

'He is a real team player and knows how to combine with other players and I'm sure he will do well with us.'

Wenger is working at the European Championship as a media pundit, and has been impressed by Podolski's displays so far.

'Podolski did a great job for the German team, he has superb team work,' said the Arsenal boss.

Already a Gunner: Lukas Podolski has already signed for Arsene Wenger's side

'He plays in a cautious way sometimes, but he's still scored a very important goal against Denmark for his 100th cap.

'I am very happy with what I've seen from him.'

Once the deal for Giroud is complete, Arsenal could then look to offload some of their fringe players, including Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner and Morocco international Marouane Chamakh as well as Mexico forward Carlos Vela and Brazilian midfielder Denilson.

Arsenal could also now resurrect interest in Yann M'Vila after Champions League finalists Bayern Munich cooled their interest in the Rennes midfielder.

Malouda lays into France, warning team-mates that 'heavy' defeat to Spain is on the cards

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UPDATED:

19:53 GMT, 20 June 2012

Chelsea forward Florent Malouda has questioned the attitude of Laurent Blanc’s France team after their 23-game unbeaten run came to an end against Sweden on Tuesday.

France play favourites Spain in the quarter-finals on Saturday after their capitulation in Kiev saw them hand group leadership to England.

Concerns: Malouda (centre) says France need to sort it out

Malouda, dropped after the first group game against England, said: ‘What I saw the other night awoke some demons in me. There are some things to sort out. It was the way the run ended that was shocking.

‘Balance is fragile and, when you start thinking you’re at the Euros to shine individually, then the wheels can start to come off.

Costly defeat: Malouda battles with Sebastian Larsson during the 2-0 loss to Sweden

‘We need to find a balance between the team and our personal objectives.

‘We need a discussion. If we don’t sort things out before Saturday then the defeat could be heavy.’